Downtown San Diego consists of six distinct neighborhoods. So how do you as a prospective buyer choose the one that best fits your interests, personality, and lifestyle? While all of the downtown neighborhoods offer the charm, vibrancy and energy of urban living, each one offers something unique that distinguishes it from the others.

A Neighborhood Snapshot

Gaslamp Quarter is the center of activity of downtown San Diego with cultural events, festivals, restaurants, shopping, and nightclubs and a steady stream of pedestrians. The Gaslamp comes alive with activity in the evening and is a good choice for people who enjoy an active nightlife.

Conversely, Cortez Hill is the quietest area of downtown, set on a hill apart from its neighbors. Of the six neighborhoods, it has the most suburban feel with wider residential streets and fewer pedestrians. Cortez Hill straddles downtown and Balboa Park, and residents move easily between the two attractions.

Little Italy has a family-oriented feel, reminiscent of Italy, with sidewalk cafes, Italian delicatessens and restaurants, art galleries, and an elementary school. On the weekends residents enjoy art festivals, weekend boccie ball tournaments, live entertainment, and a regular farmers market. The Italian influence is apparent in the food and shopping. It’s a short walk to San Diego bay for those of you who like to run or walk around the waterfront, away from city streets.

Next door is the Columbia District, known for its high end, residential towers with dramatic, panoramic bay and city views. The residents in Columbia will greatly benefit from the improvements that will be part of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan development along the bay front. The harbor is its front porch; residents watch cruise ships come into port from their living room windows. Residents also enjoy an easy walk to the San Diego/Coronado ferry, and Santa Fe Train Depot, with bike and pedestrian paths stretching along the harbor all the way to Point Loma.

Marina District is often referred to as “front row” residential with sweeping bay views. Marina is known for its nearby shopping and dining, and steps to yacht marinas, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza Shopping Mall, Ralph’s grocery, and Seaport Village.

Downtown San Diego Neighborhoods – Unique  & Charming

East Village is home to Petco Park, the major league baseball stadium that is home to the Padres baseball team and also serves as the center of activity for the neighborhood. Park at the Park, within ballpark grounds, is a popular place for social gatherings and a favorite of the locals. It is a large, open park, a fun place for picnics, families with children, concerts, and watching Padres games. Thomas Jefferson School of Law has recently relocated to a new complex in East Village. The school has had a positive impact on rental housing activity, and contributes to high capacity residential buildings for those of you considering an investment property.

For more details on each of San Diego’s downtown neighborhoods, or condos available for sale, please call (619) 246-8400.